CLA (University Language Centre) organizes Italian Language and Culture courses designed to help you improve your language skills and better integrate into Italian university and social life.
Who can participate in the courses?
The courses are open to various types of foreign students and staff, including:
- Erasmus students and students from other international exchange programs (e.g., Double Degree, Bilateral Agreements)
- PhD students, researchers, and visiting professors on mobility programs
- Foreign students regularly enrolled at the University of Trento
- Foreign students of the Conservatory of Trento and Riva
- External users of the University and employees of partner institutions.
What types of courses can I choose?
You can choose between different course formats based on your needs and on time:
- Extensive Courses: Two lessons per week (3 academic hours each), for a total of 50 hours. They are held during the periods October–December and March–May.
- Intensive Courses: Twelve lessons (4 academic hours each) plus one 2-hour lesson, for a total of 50 hours. They take place in September, February, and June.
- Intercomprehension and Interculturality Workshop among Romance Languages: A more specific course to develop these skills.
How is Italian L2 Taught?
CLA teachers use a communicative method, encouraging you to participate actively. The goal is to help you develop all language skills in an integrated way:
- Understanding: listening and reading.
- Producing: writing, conversation, and interaction in Italian.
This is achieved through simulations of real-life situations to make language expression spontaneous and confident. For this reason, teaching is primarily conducted exclusively in Italian, even in courses for absolute beginners (A1a / A1). This "total immersion" is the fastest way to learn a new language.
Final Tests and Certificates
At the end of each course, there is a final test which does not result in a grade, but a pass/fail outcome ("idoneo/non idoneo").
- Minimum Attendance: To take the test, you must have attended at least 75% of the lessons. This means a maximum of 4 absences for extensive courses and 3 absences for intensive courses.
- For incoming students (Erasmus, etc.): CLA does not issue a paper certificate for passing the course, but the result is recorded in your "Transcript of Records" if the course was included in your Learning Agreement.
- Grade Attestation: You can, however, ask your teacher directly, before the end of the course, for an attestation with the grade out of thirty (voto in trentesimi) which will then be sent to you via email upon request.
OPEN DIGITAL BADGE
If you reach level A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) after attending and passing an Italian course (level A2 or A2b), you can obtain an Open Digital Badge, a recognized digital certificate. More information on ODBs here: What is an ODB?
Interviews with students who attended CLA courses
Online Introductory Italian Course for Foreign Students
CLA, in collaboration with UniTrento Online Teaching service, has created online multimedia modules. These modules offer clear and simple information to help you familiarize yourself with the university environment in Trento and are also a fun way to start learning Italian.
- If you are not a UniTrento student:
1. Click on this link: TRENTO DA VIVERE
2. In the section "UTENTE NON UNITRENTO - NUOVA REGISTRAZIONE" (NON-UNITRENTO USER - NEW REGISTRATION), click on "CREA UN ACCOUNT" (CREATE AN ACCOUNT) to register. This is the first thing you need to do.
3. After creating your account, you can always access the course from the TRENTO DA VIVERE link.
In the "Download" box on the CLA website, you will find the textbooks, detailed programs (syllabi), and the description of the language learning levels.
Read the GUIDE TO COURSE ENROLMENT